Mixed results for Sharks in opening pre-season fixtures against a university team and an international side

The Sharks have hammered Russia 64-14 in a pre-season friendly in Durban on Friday.

It was a much better result for head coach Sean Everitt after the Sharks lost their first warm-up of the day 26-31 to North-West University-Pukke.

However, the team that faced the university side was much weaker than the one that faced Russia.

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Newcomers Ox Nche, Le Roux Roets, James Venter, Henco Venter, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Jordan Chait and Madosh Tambwe all made their first appearance in Sharks colours in the Russia match.

The Sharks were well in control at half-time against the Russians with a 26-7 half-time lead before reaching their final tally of 64-14.

In the match against Pukke, the Sharks looker comfortable with a 19-5 lead at half-time. However, Pukke fought back valiantly to secure a tight win.

The Sharks face Russia again next Friday (January 17) before facing the Stormers in Johannesburg on SuperHero Sunday (January 19).

They then open their regular season with a South African derby clash against the Bulls at Kings Park in Durban on January 31.

Super Rugby pre-season action continues this weekend, as the Stormers will face Maties, the Ikey Tigers, the Cape Peninsula University of Techology and a Western Province XV in four 20-minute periods at Florida Park in Ravensmead on Saturday.

All 15 Super Rugby sides will play a raft of pre-season matches over the coming fortnight before the regular season kick-off with the Blues hosting the Chiefs at Eden Park in Auckland on January 31.

Super Rugby pre-season fixtures and results:

Friday, January 10

Sharks 26-31 NWU-Pukke at Kings Park, Durban

Sharks 64-14 Russia at Kings Park, Durban

Saturday, January 11

Stormers vs Maties, UCT, CPUT and a DHL WP XV at Florida Park, Ravensmead

Friday, January 17

Chiefs vs Blues at Waihi Athletic Rugby Club, Waihi

Reds v Rebels at Marley Brown Oval, Gladstone

Waratahs vs Highlanders at Leichardt Oval, Sydney

Sharks vs Russia at Kings Park, Durban

Bulls vs Lions at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Jaguares vs Georgia XV at Estadio Jose Maria Minella, Mar del Plata

Saturday, January 18

Hurricanes vs Crusaders at Ashburton Showgrounds, Ashburton

Sunday, January 19

Stormers vs Sharks at FNB Stadium, Soweto

Lions vs Bulls at FNB Stadium, Soweto

Thursday, January 23

Rebels vs Brumbies at Greenfield Park, Albury (3:45pm kick-off)

Rebels vs Brumbies at Greenfield Park, Albury (6:15pm kick-off)

Friday, January 24

Blues vs Hurricanes at Onewa Domain, Auckland

Highlanders vs Crusaders at Wanaka A&P Showgrounds, Wanaka

Reds vs Waratahs at Dalby Leagues Club, Dalby

Jaguares vs Georgia XV at San Isidro Club, Buenos Aires

Saturday, January 25

Sunwolves vs Challenge Barbarians at Mikuni World Stadium Kitakyushu, Kitakyushu

- With Rugby365

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